8 Simple Safety Tips for Your Family Vacation

Your family vacation will be full of memories to last a lifetime, but don’t let those memories be bad ones. Prepare for (and try to avoid) dangerous situations with the following safety tips. You’ll leave home with a greater peace of mind, allowing you to truly relax on vacation.

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Digg

Pinterest

reddit

LinkedIn

StumbleUpon

Print and Distribute Emergency Contact Info

If you’re traveling with kids who have a hard time remembering names and phone numbers, create emergency contact cards. On the card, include emergency information like phone numbers, names, and locations. Have your kids keep it in their pocket so if they get separated from the group, they can show an adult and find help.

Practice “What If” Situations

Your vacation may be flawless, with minimal issues and no emergency situations. However, there’s always a chance something could happen. Go over the ways in which your kids should handle an emergency situation if it comes up. Cover topics like getting lost, getting into a dangerous situation (for teens who are exploring on their own), and getting locked out of the hotel room.

Remind them to look for a responsible adult, like a person working in a store, hotel or restaurant, or someone wearing a uniform.

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Digg

Pinterest

reddit

LinkedIn

StumbleUpon

Make Photo Copies

Instead of bringing all your important paperwork on the trip, bring photocopies. Airlines accept pictures of these documents and most medical facilities will too. If your travel requires a passport, that may be the only physical item you need,” explains Kathy Borkoski, COO of TripSafe.

Borkoski recommends making copies of:

Birth certificates

Shot records

Medical insurance cards

Recent, clear photo of each traveler

Keep Electronics Packed Away

When not in use, keep all electronics and other expensive items packed away. Don’t let anything hang out of the top of a bag either. Simply being able to see the item makes you a target for mugging.

Have a Meeting Spot

Traveling with a big group can make it hard to keep track of everyone. Before heading out for the day, set a meeting spot in case anyone gets lost. If someone notices a group member is no longer in tow, everyone can head to the meeting spot and find each other quickly and easily.

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Digg

Pinterest

reddit

LinkedIn

StumbleUpon

Pack “Go Bag” Emergency Items

A “Go Bag” keeps all the essentials you might need if you have to leave your house quickly, like during a disaster or emergency. While you don’t need to bring your whole go-bag on vacation, you should pack a few of the most essential items for the trip. Here are a few suggestions from Putting Together the Ultimate Go-Bag: The Essentials:

Whistle

Tactical knife (road trips only)

Battery operated flashlight

Extra batteries

Waterproof matches

Small first aid kit

Water sterilization tablets

Rope

All of these items can fit in the side pocket of one of your bags. If something goes wrong while you’re in an unfamiliar place, you’ll feel more at ease knowing you’re prepared. You can also purchase a small emergency kit that comes with many of these items.

Follow All Local Warnings

This is especially important on beach vacations, with unfamiliar water and weather patterns. All beaches are different, so even if you live near one at home, take note of signage about currents, swimming areas, and lifeguards on duty.

Check with the hotel or rental about other warnings about the local area. There may be places that visitors are advised to avoid, etc.

Store Credit Cards and Cash in Different Places

If you get mugged, and all your money was in one place, you’re about to fight a tough, uphill battle. Eliminate this possibility altogether by spreading out your financial assets. Split all cash and credit cards between yourself and your spouse, or other adults on the trip. You can also keep some in a locked room safe or money belt.

Vacation safety is paramount, yet easy to forget about in the excitement of prepping for a big trip. However, preparing for an emergency is not only important, but it reduces stress while traveling—if something goes wrong, you won’t be frantically running around trying to find paperwork or extra batteries. In the end, when you know these important details are taken care of, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the vacation you deserve.

If you would like to submit a guest post on food, wine or travel to Where and What in the World, I would be happy to feature your travel experience , drink, special wine tasting, or family or simply delicious recipe. If you go to submission tab, you will see how to submit, as well as have the opportunity of telling me if you would like to would like to be a regular contributor. When uploading a file for submission, you are also able to upload jpegs. Please feel free to put a last paragraph about you and a link to your profile. No html please. You can also include a head shot.

Related

About The Author

Maralyn Dennis Hill, The Epicurean Explorer, is president emeritus of International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, member of Society of American Travel Writers, and Society of Professional Journalists. She is Executive Editor of Luxe Beat Magazine and contributes to other publications. She also speaks and is a guest on many shows.
The majority of Maralyn’s articles are now geared to the luxury market, spas, corporate retreats, business events, and culinary tourism, from simple to gourmet.
Maralyn’s description of herself: I was born to travel and tell the tale. I’m energized by different cultures in every aspect of their lives, from food, wine, and destination, to how they conduct business. Travel represents a continual geography lesson.